Two non-governmental organizations, Women Organised for Mentorship and Advocacy Network (WOMAN) and the Eunice Nnachi Women Advocacy Foundation (ENWAF), have initiated a grassroots sensitization campaign to combat the ongoing cholera outbreak in parts of Nigeria.
The maiden program, launched on Monday, took the sensitization efforts to Igbogene community in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, emphasizing the importance of hygiene among other preventive measures.
During the community engagement, the Executive Director of WOMAN, Eunice Nnachi, urged residents to be vigilant and recognize early signs of cholera. Nnachi warned against self-medication and home remedies, advising the community to refer anyone displaying symptoms of cholera to appropriate medical facilities for quarantine and treatment.
She highlighted the critical role of sanitation, access to clean water, handwashing, and environmental cleanliness in preventing cholera. Additionally, Nnachi addressed issues of drug abuse, particularly among the youth, and the neglect of maternal health in the area. She called for comprehensive drug abuse prevention and treatment programs and increased investments in maternal healthcare services to reduce maternal deaths.
The paramount ruler of Igbogene community, Augustine Ikein, who attended the event, pledged to collaborate with WOMAN and ENWAF to address drug abuse and maternal health concerns. Ikein expressed gratitude for the NGOs’ initiative and promised to work with local authorities, healthcare providers, and community leaders to develop a comprehensive strategy to tackle the community’s health challenges.
He emphasized the necessity of a multifaceted approach that leverages the expertise and resources of various stakeholders to improve the overall well-being of the Igbogene community. Ikein described the NGOs’ visit as a crucial step in empowering the community and fostering collaborative efforts to address pressing health and social issues.
Ikein also highlighted the importance of private initiatives like WOMAN and ENWAF in partnering with traditional rulers, the government, and other stakeholders to promote human welfare and collective well-being.
“In both advanced and developing countries, we encourage organizations like yours to partner not only with traditional rulers but also with the government to promote human welfare,” Ikein said. “This private initiative is a welcome idea to add value, promote, and create collective welfare, and it cannot be left solely to the formal government to handle all the work.”
